U.S. Federal Holidays and What They Mean

Updated: October 30, 2026

The United States has 11 federal holidays set by federal law: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday (Presidents Day), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. On the 2025 civics test you may be asked to name three, and to explain Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.

The 11 federal holidays in order

Federal holidays are listed in federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103). Several fall on a Monday so workers get a long weekend.

New Year's Day - January 1. The start of the calendar year.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - third Monday in January. Honors the civil rights leader, born January 15, 1929. It became a federal holiday in the 1980s. See the civil rights movement on the civics test.
Washington's Birthday - third Monday in February. Officially named for George Washington, born February 22, 1732. It is widely called Presidents Day, and USCIS accepts both names.
Memorial Day - last Monday in May. Honors those who died while serving in the U.S. military. It began after the Civil War, when communities decorated soldiers' graves. Many people also treat it as the unofficial start of summer.
Juneteenth National Independence Day - June 19. Marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops announced in Galveston, Texas, that enslaved people there were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It became the newest federal holiday in 2021. See the Civil War on the civics test.
Independence Day - July 4. Celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Fireworks, parades, and barbecues are typical.
Labor Day - first Monday in September. Honors American workers and the labor movement.
Columbus Day - second Monday in October. Commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. Some states and cities also or instead observe Indigenous Peoples' Day, but the federal holiday's legal name is Columbus Day.
Veterans Day - November 11. Honors everyone who has served in the U.S. military, living or dead. The date marks the armistice that ended fighting in World War I in 1918.
Thanksgiving Day - fourth Thursday in November. A day of giving thanks, traditionally with a family meal. It is tied to the story of the Pilgrims' 1621 harvest feast in Plymouth.
Christmas Day - December 25. A religious and cultural holiday.

Inauguration Day (January 20, every four years) is also a holiday for federal employees in the Washington, D.C., area only.

When a holiday falls on a Saturday, federal employees usually get Friday off; when it falls on a Sunday, they get Monday off.

Holidays questions on the 2025 civics test

Name three national U.S. holidays (asterisk)

Accepted answers: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

The 2008 test asked for two; the 2025 test asks for three. Pick three you can say clearly every time, for example "Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas."

What is Independence Day?

A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
The country's birthday

What is Memorial Day?

A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service

What is Veterans Day?

A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)

Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day

This is the most common mix-up on the holidays questions. The quick rule:

Memorial Day = remembering those who died in military service. (Memorial, like a memorial for the dead.)
Veterans Day = thanking everyone who served, including living veterans.

Federal holidays vs. other observances

Many days are widely observed but are not federal holidays, for example Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Halloween, Flag Day (June 14), and Constitution Day (September 17). Don't list these when asked to name national holidays. Constitution Day is worth knowing anyway, since it marks the signing of the Constitution in 1787; see the U.S. Constitution explained.

Also note that federal holidays mainly decide when federal offices, banks, and post offices close. Private employers set their own holiday policies, and states can add their own holidays.

What federal holidays mean for your citizenship process

USCIS offices are closed on federal holidays, and interviews and oath ceremonies are not scheduled on those days. Some courts and USCIS offices hold special naturalization ceremonies around Independence Day and Constitution Day / Citizenship Day (September 17). If you get a ceremony notice for one of those dates, expect a larger, more festive event. See what to expect at the oath ceremony.

Quick memory map by season

Winter: New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents Day
Spring/early summer: Memorial Day, Juneteenth
Summer: Independence Day
Fall: Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving
December: Christmas

The holidays questions are among the last on the official list, right after American symbols. Review all of them on the civics questions page.

Frequently asked questions

How many federal holidays are there in the United States?

There are 11 federal holidays under federal law. Inauguration Day is an additional holiday for federal employees in the Washington, D.C., area every four years.

What is the newest federal holiday?

Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19, became a federal holiday in 2021.

How many holidays do I need to name on the 2025 civics test?

Three. The question is marked with an asterisk, so it is also on the list for applicants who qualify for the 65/20 special consideration.

What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?

Memorial Day honors soldiers who died in military service. Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the U.S. military.

Is Presidents Day the official name?

The official federal name is Washington's Birthday, but it is commonly called Presidents Day. USCIS accepts both.

Prepare for the civics test with Civio: every official question from the 2025 USCIS civics test, Exam Mode with your state's questions, and spaced repetition.

Informational article, not legal advice. Civio is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; always check current requirements at uscis.gov.